Agricultural Engineering International (E-Journal, CIGR - International Commission of Agricultural Engineering)
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Biocoal production from selected plant wastes through torrefaction
Full text linkTorrefaction is a thermal treatment process that embroils the roasting of biomass in a low oxygen environment. It is principally exploited to produce a biofuel called torrefied biomass or biocoal. Torrefaction improves fuel characteristics and reduces emission. Corn Stalk (CS), Rice Husk (RH), Mesocarp Fibre (MF) and Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) were used for studying the torrefaction of plant wastes, preparation and performance characterization of biocoal. Torrefaction was conducted using a muffle furnace at temperature of 2500C for 20 minutes and resulting samples were milled to fine particles. Samples of different ratios were prepared (CS:RH:MF:PKS (10:20:30:40), (20:30:40:10), (30:40:10:20) and (30:40:10:20) using corn starch as the binder. Manual briquetting machine was used to compound the mixture into solid shapes and subjected to Physicochemical and combustion properties to determine the moisture content, ash content, fixed carbon content, volatile matter, bulk density, heating value, time to ignite, burning time with burning temperature respectively. The properties of biocoal were compared with that of wood to access their potential as a renewable energy source. The result for the Physicochemical properties shows that the moisture content ranged from 15.64 to 24.88%; volatile matter (20.00 to 71.00), ash content (7.00 to 26.50%), fixed carbon (2.86 to 35.96%) and bulk density (1.16 to 1.92); for the physical properties; time to ignite ranged from 19.33 to 72.15secs, burning time (1039.58 to 2347.89secs), temperature (59.89 to 273.800C) and heating value (3080.79 to 4484.11). Sample CS:RH:MF:PKS with ratio of 30:40:10:20 have the best Combustion and Physicochemical properties
Optimization and Performance Testing of a Hydraulic Coconut Milk Extraction Machine
Full text linkAbstract
The study aimed to design, fabricate, and evaluate a hydraulically powered coconut milk extraction machine to address challenges related to labor intensity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in small-scale coconut processing. The machine was developed using locally available materials and technology, focusing on enhancing extraction efficiency, recovery, and capacity while ensuring accessibility for a broader user base, including women and people with disabilities.
The research involved a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five different pressure settings (1300 to 1700 psi) to assess the machine's performance. The evaluation parameters included extraction efficiency, recovery, and capacity. Results indicated that the machine achieved peak extraction efficiency of 92.51% and a maximum extraction capacity of 50.98 kg/hr at 1600 psi. However, higher pressures did not significantly impact extraction efficiency and recovery, suggesting that while pressure plays a role, its effect is limited within the tested range. The machine outperformed traditional hydraulic jack-type and screw-type extractors in terms of efficiency, recovery, and capacity.
Financial analysis showed that the machine has a low operating cost of Php 144,183.60 per year, with an annual revenue of Php 403,930.80, resulting in a net income of Php 259,747.20. The break-even point was calculated at 15,435.26 kg of grated coconut meat, with a payback period of approximately 0.35 years and a high rate of return of 180%. The results demonstrate that the hydraulic-powered coconut milk extractor is a cost-effective and efficient solution for small-scale coconut processing, offering substantial improvements over existing methods and contributing to the profitability and sustainability of coconut-based enterprises.
Keywords: Hydraulic coconut milk extractor, Small-scale coconut processing, Extraction efficiency, Cost-effectiveness, Performance evaluation, financial analysis, Locally available material
Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Seed-Cum-Fertilizer Broadcasting Machine
Full text linkA seed cum fertilizer broadcasting machine was designed and fabricated in the Agricultural and Industrial Engineering Lab of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The field performance study of the machine was done in the agricultural field lab of HSTU. The machine is portable and can be moved easily by hanging at the backside of a man and is operated by a rechargeable battery of 12 volt. The machine is built with a steel frame with a hopper in which seeds or fertilizers can be inserted and an opening hole with a metering device proceeds seeds or fertilizers to drop on the beater arm platform. Then a beater arm swings the falling seeds or fertilizers and throws them towards the field. After development, the machine's performance study was conducted in the lab and the field. In the laboratory performance, the average Uniformity Co-efficient of Distribution (UCD) for urea, green gram, wheat, and black gram was found to be 94.7%, 91.7%, 94.12 and 95.38% respectively. To assess the actual field performance of the machine, planting was done with black gram seeds both manually and mechanically. The field was divided into 4 plots. Manual broadcasting was done in two plots of the field and mechanical broadcasting was done in another two plots of the field. The average value of the Coefficient of Variation (CV) for mechanical and manual broadcasting was found 13.99% and 65.26% respectively from the field. The amount of variation was much higher in manual broadcasting. This higher variation indicates that there was less uniformity in the field where manual broadcasting was done. In conclusion, the machine is aesthetically good for farmers to use for broadcasting purposes
Production, characterisation and Application of activated carbon from cocoa pod husk and banana peel using chemical impregnation (sulphuric acid) for soil amendment
Full text linkThis research produced and characterized Cocoa Pod Husk and Banana Peel Activated Carbon (CPH and BPAC) and applied them to degraded soils. We utilised Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) methods to determine the surface area and pore volume of the activated carbons. A composite sampling technique was employed to obtain soil samples from agricultural land. The results indicated that the surface areas for impregnated and non-impregnated CPH and BPAC, as determined by BET, were 570 m²/g and 533 m²/g, respectively, while their Dubinin-Radushkevich micropore volumes were 0.201 cc/g and 0.190 cc/g, respectively. Moreover, CPH and BPAC exhibited a higher adsorptive capacity than their non-impregnated counterparts, increasing the NPK levels from 1.48, 7.38, and 0.22 to 2.62, 28.45, and 1.32, respectively. These findings imply that CPH and BPAC increased the NPK levels in the soil by approximately 1.77, 3.86, and 6 times, respectively. The CPH and BPAC as organic fertilizers are effective in amending degraded soils. Future studies should investigate the use of CPH and BPAC in growing leaf vegetables
The Design and development of an IoT-integrated solar water-heated drying system for macadamia nuts
No full textThis paper presents the design, development, and testing of an IoT-integrated solar-powered macadamia nut drying system for small to medium-scale farmers. Utilizing a solar water heating system as the primary heat source, it switches to grid electricity as needed. IoT technology allows real-time monitoring and control of temperature, humidity, hot water flow and the moisture content of the macadamia nuts, optimizing drying while conserving energy. The dryer was evaluated over three days in the rainy season in Vietnam’s Highlands, comparing performance with and without IoT control. The results indicated that without a set temperature threshold, chamber temperatures reached 42.1°C and 45.1°C on days one and two, respectively. However, with a temperature threshold set at 38°C on the third day, chamber temperatures stabilized between 37.5°C and 39°C from 10:08 to 19:27, leading to a 16.7% reduction in energy use compared to the first day. Testing with 5.04 kg of macadamia showed energy savings of 32.6% compared to traditional electric dryers, even in cloudy conditions, while maintaining high drying quality and reducing costs. This innovation boosts efficiency and supports sustainable agriculture
INTER BASIN WATER TRANSFER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS – A CASE STUDY OF PATTISEEMA LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEME OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA: Inter basin water transfer-Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme
No full textSustainability of agricultural production system in Krishna delta, which is at lower Krishna river basin (94% of utilizable flow), has been under threat post 2000 owing to basin closure, with available surface water fully utilized for human consumption. The Government of Andhra Pradesh contemplated for interlinking of Godavari river which has surplus water to the Krishna river by transferring 2265 Mm3 to alleviate the water scarcity and to stabilize command area under Krishna delta (0.514 M.ha) through Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS). The impact of PLIS on sustainability of agricultural production systems in Krishna delta has been studied. The quantity of water transferred through PLIS were 1591.86, 2996.09, 274.65, 1217.55 and 1177.00 Mm3 that forms 43.92, 67.41, 63.33, 23.90 and 22.77% of the total water utilization through canal releases during the years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively with a net production advantage of 59.12, 258.08, 251.02, 93.36 and 93.36 million USD, respectively for the above crop years. Energy intensity per hectare of irrigated area was estimated at 459.81 kWh/ha and energy productivity and water productivity on production advantage was estimated as 3.63 kg/kwh and 345.52 kg/ha- Mm3. Benefit cost ratio of the project was estimated as 1.90
Comparative Performance Evaluation of Power Harrow vs Tandem Disk Harrow in Northeastern region of Iran
Full text linkThe aim of the present research was to evaluate the performance of the power harrow (PH) and compare the quality of seedbed prepared by that of obtained from different numbers of disk harrowing (intensity of tillage), combination of power harrowing-number of disk harrowing and ground speed in dry soils of northeastern region of Iran. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between different treatments at 1% level of probability. It was also observed that the type of harrow used had a significant effect, at 5% level of probability, on Soil Aggregate Size (MWD) and Aggregate Mechanical Stability (AMS). It was concluded that power harrowing instead of disk harrowing would reduce field traffic hence soil compaction and improve field efficiency as well as seedbed quality if used after moldboard ploughing
Effects of operational factors on the efficiency and thoroughput capacity of African locust bean processing Machine
Full text linkDe-hulling and cleaning of beans remains a major tedious operation in the processing of locust bean. Using a locust bean de-huller that combine de-hulling and cleaning is one approach to reduce drudgery and improve the quality of the seed. The aim of research is to optimise the operating conditions of a locust bean processing machine for de-hulling and cleaning. To measure de-hulling and cleaning efficiency, dried locust beans were boiled at 2, 4 and 6hr boiling time, loaded onto the machine at various feeing rates (15, 20, and 25kg/hr) and shaft speed (7, 8, 9). The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilised to optimize the operating parameter used in de-hulling process. Quadratic models were developed to establish the interaction between the operational parameters and the response factors. The effect of the investigated operational parameters on the de-hulling and cleaning efficiency were significant (p ≤0.01). The optimal condition of the process for shaft speed, boiling time and feeding rate were 7m/s, 6hr and 25kg/hr, respectively, resulting in quantitative de-hulling efficiency, qualitative de-hulling efficiency, throughput capacity and cleaning efficiency of 98.67%, 25.85%, 21.66kg/hr and 84.62%, respectively. This indicate that the locust bean processing machine performed efficiently at optimal conditions thus valid the models developed
Water infiltration in soils of variable bulk density with depth
Full text linkWater infiltration in soils is one of the most important factors that must be considered in designing optimal irrigation systems. A total of twelve laboratory experiments were carried out to assess the influence of bulk density variation with depth on infiltration depth, infiltration rate, and wetting front depth. A cylindrical soil profile of 11.43 cm diameter and 40 cm height was prepared by compacting every 10 cm of it with different bulk densities. Two types of soils (sandy loam and clay) and six sets of bulk density variations with depth (three of them were increasing and the others were decreasing) for each soil were considered. Three empirical models were developed to predict the depth of infiltration, advance of wetting front, and infiltration rate based on time, bulk density of the upper layer, bulk density variation, and percentages of clay, silt, and sand with a high coefficient of determination. The results revealed that bulk density variation has a slight effect on water infiltration while bulk density of the upper layer has the highest effect on water infiltration. It was found that decreasing bulk density has a higher impact on infiltration than increasing bulk density, and the clayey soil is more sensitive to bulk density variation than sandy loam soil. A decrease of 7.8% and an increase of 23.66%, 25.8% were noted in the rate of infiltration, depth of wetting front, and depth of infiltration, respectively for clayey soil with bulk density of the upper stratum of 1.5 g/cm3 and decreasing bulk density of 0.82% after 7 h of infiltration compared to those with no bulk density variation
Classification method of applying types of rice fertilizers using Resnet50 architecture
Full text linkThe Indonesian government has implemented various strategies to increase rice production and productivity. However, until now, the results have not met expectations, and the sustainability of rice farming practices in Indonesia is still poor. One of the important problems that needs to be addressed is the imbalance of fertilizer use, as it can cause various problems in rice cultivation that lead to non-optimal productivity of rice plants, such as reduced yields and decreased quality of rice grains. Various techniques have been developed to determine the appropriate fertilizer for rice plants based on leaf color of their leaves. However, using specific algorithms to solve the illumination problem increases the computational process and still leaves the possibility of inaccurate image representation. In addition, the use of UAVs is very expensive, making their implementation difficult for farmers. Beside that, previous studies generally only classify Nitrogen status into low or high, fertile or infertile classes, whereas each fertilizer has different characteristics. Therefore, this study proposes a classification method of applying types of rice fertilizers based on vegetative microscopic images of rice leaves using the ResNet50 architecture. The proposed method uses Resnet50 architecture of Convolutional Neural Network to analyze microscopic rice leaf images and classify three types of rice fertilizers accurately, quickly and non-destructively